José Antonio Campal, co-director of Bernabé Campal, died at 54 in a motorcycle accident near Vitoria. His sudden death has left a mark on Salamanca’s business and agricultural communities. The company is a major player in Spain’s agri-food sector.
José Antonio Campal, co-director of Bernabé Campal and a well-known figure in Salamanca’s agri-food industry, died Saturday in a motorcycle accident near Vitoria-Gasteiz. He was 54. Campal was returning from a road trip across Europe with his brother Pedro and a friend, both also on motorcycles, when the crash happened on the AP-1 exit toward the N-622. Emergency services arrived quickly but could not revive him. The accident, which occurred around 12:40 p.m., is under investigation by the Álava Traffic Unit of the Ertzaintza.
Campal’s death has hit both the business community and rural Salamanca hard. The mayor of Huerta, José María Casado, called the news a devastating blow for the area. Local media, including La Gaceta de Salamanca and El Español, have confirmed the main details of the accident—time, place, and Campal’s age—through independent sources.
Local reports indicate that the Campal family is widely known in both Huerta and Las Villas, highlighting their longstanding community ties.
Bernabé Campal, based in Huerta, is one of the largest agri-food companies in Salamanca and Castilla y León. Led by José Antonio and his brother, the company operates more than 18 storage centers and works directly with farmers across Spain and Portugal. Annual revenues exceed 400 million euros, and the company holds over 3.5% of the national market. These figures have been reported by Noticias a Tiempo and other regional outlets.
Earlier this year, CEOE CEPYME Salamanca recognized Bernabé Campal for its contributions to the primary sector, job creation, and regional development. Both brothers accepted the award, which highlighted the company’s role in the local economy. The Campal name is closely linked to agricultural progress and business in Salamanca.
The timing of Campal’s death has made the loss even more felt. Salamanca is in the middle of its Ferias y Fiestas in honor of the Virgen de la Vega, usually a time of celebration. Instead, the city and province are in mourning, with condolences coming from business and institutional leaders. Javier Iglesias, president of the Diputación de Salamanca, described Campal as a pillar of the local agri-food sector and someone deeply committed to the province’s future.
Campal was returning from several days of travel across Europe with his brother Pedro and a friend, both of whom were also riding motorcycles. The accident is being investigated by the Ertzaintza’s traffic division, with multiple regional media confirming the basic circumstances and ongoing inquiry.
Noticias a Tiempo
On Sunday, the San Carlos Borromeo funeral home in Salamanca saw a steady stream of relatives, friends, and colleagues coming to pay their respects. The funeral is set for Tuesday, though the location has not been made public. Campal’s passing is a personal loss for his family and a significant moment for the region’s agricultural and business communities.
Bernabé Campal’s growth over the past two decades reflects changes in Spain’s agri-food sector. Companies like this have helped modernize rural economies, bring in new technology, and expand international trade. The company’s direct work with farmers and its operations in Portugal show a model of regional integration that has become more important for Spanish agriculture. The support shown after Campal’s death points to the strong ties between business leaders and local identity in rural Spain.
